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Average Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

In Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, Social Science Research Assistants earn an average annual salary of $48,100. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $67,490, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a different economic landscape influence compensation for these roles within the state capital region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $48,100 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 11.2% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $64,440.
  • Outlook: The local market for Social Science Research Assistants in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, while modest in size with a total workforce of 240, shows a significant concentration. The Location Quotient of 2.57 indicates that this profession is more than twice as prevalent here compared to the national average, pointing to a robust demand relative to the available workforce.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$48,100

The average Social Science Research Assistants in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY earns-28.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$23.1

Weekly

$925

Monthly

$4,008

Social Science Research Assistants Salary Distribution in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Salary progression for Social Science Research Assistants typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior researchers with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, with percentile gaps reflecting this career advancement.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$31,200$15
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$36,075$17.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$48,090$23.1
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$60,125$28.9
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$64,440$31

Detailed Social Science Research Assistants Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$48,100

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$48,100

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $48,100 in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial environment for residents.

Job Market Context

240

Total Jobs

0.549

Per 1K Jobs

2.57

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY has 2.6x the national concentration of Social Science Research Assistants jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 2.57, the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metropolitan area exhibits a strong concentration of Social Science Research Assistant roles relative to the national landscape. This suggests a competitive yet potentially abundant job market, where demand outstrips the national average presence, offering ample opportunities for skilled professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Social Science Research Assistants

Comparing salaries near Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Hiring Social Science Research Assistantss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Social Science Research Assistants make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

The median annual salary for a Social Science Research Assistants in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is $48,100. This typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $64,440 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 28.7% lower than the national median of $67,490.

Is Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY a lucrative place for Social Science Research Assistants?

No, but it offers stability.While the average salary of $48,100 is below the national average, the cost of living is also at the national average, providing equivalent purchasing power. The high concentration of roles suggests job availability.

Is Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY a good place to live for Social Science Research Assistants?

The Cost of Living Index in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?

Some top paying nearby cities include Central East New York nonmetropolitan area ($37,380) and others.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Social Science Research Assistants in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is $48,100, which is significantly lower than the national average of $67,490.

What does the Location Quotient of 2.57 mean for this role?

A Location Quotient of 2.57 indicates that Social Science Research Assistants are more than twice as concentrated in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area compared to the national average, suggesting higher local demand or a specialized industry presence.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Albany?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local cost of living matches the national average. Therefore, the $48,100 salary in Albany offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average salary.

Is the job market for Social Science Research Assistants strong in Albany?

The market shows a strong concentration (LQ 2.57) and a notable presence of jobs per 1,000 workers (0.549), indicating a robust demand relative to the workforce size, despite the lower average salary.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 240 employees in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area with a job density of 0.549 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.